Saying Good Bye

by Ted Bilderback, Director

The JC Raulston family will be saying good bye to three of our long serving and dedicated staff by the end of the year. Judy Morgan-Davis, membership and special projects coordinator, has worked 11 years in many different capacities at the JCRA—a student, the "Sudden Impact" summer intern; a volunteer; and as a staff member in numerous roles. Judy will leave us at the end of November to pursue other interests, including working in her own garden. Before Barbara Kennedy became the volunteer coordinator seven years ago, she was a dedicated volunteer. Barbara will retire from her position at the JCRA at the end of December to pursue other new adventures. Our third retiring staff member is Ida McCullers. She's been the JCRA's housekeeper extraordinaire for eight years, caring for the Ruby C. McSwain Education Center, the Bobby G. Wilder Visitor Center, the Staff Building, and the Necessary as part of her 29 year career. Judy, Barbara, and Ida, I am not able to express how much we will miss you. Best of luck in all your new endeavors, and please come back and visit often.

Your Holiday Check List

Gifts for Everyone on Your List

by Anne M. Porter, Director of Development

It's so easy to use your credit card with the secure online giving, plus gift notifications and/or gift certificates may be mailed directly to your recipient or mailed to you to give during the holidays.

Gift Memberships—The gift that keeps on giving all year! Call (919) 513-3826 for discounted rates with purchase of three or more gift memberships.

Engraved Bricks—Make a statement of love or admiration that lasts a lifetime.

Decorate your home for the holidays with a designer wreath you made at the JC Raulston Arboretum. Hands-on instruction will be provided and all participants will learn to make and will create a wreath of their own to take home. All materials needed for this workshop will be provided including a vast assortment of greens for your wreath. New this year, make a stunning southern magnolia wreath in time for Thanksgiving. In addition to being beautiful, southern magnolia wreaths hold their artistic integrity for years.

Connoisseur Plants

Only 61 More Shopping Days

by Anne M. Porter, Director of Development

Hurry … your special membership gift must be received by December 31, 2013, to be eligible for this year's Connoisseur Plants program.
Connoisseur Plants are rare new plants or hard to find old favorites that JC Raulston Arboretum members at the Sponsor, Patron, Founder, Benefactor, or Philanthropist levels receive as a special gift for their generous support.

News Flash! Once again for 2013, your gift of $500.00 or more to the JC Raulston Arboretum Endowment for Excellence makes you eligible for Connoisseur Plants regardless of your membership level. Your gift to the Endowment for Excellence shows that you champion a strong financial future for the JC Raulston Arboretum, so this is just a small token of our appreciation of your investment. What a great way to make a tax-deductible, end-of-year gift; get some great plants; and invest in a stronger arboretum.

Please consider increasing your current membership, joining at a connoisseur level, or making a special gift to the Endowment for Excellence today! It's easy and secure to make your tax-deductible gifts via our Web site (membership and endowment). Gifts may also be mailed to us at the JC Raulston Arboretum, Connoisseur Plants, Campus Box 7522, Raleigh, NC 27695-7522.

Connoisseur Plants catalogs will be distributed in January 2014. Plants will be distributed in March 2014.

New 2014 T-Shirts

by Barbara Kennedy, Volunteer Coordinator

Our new 2014 T-shirts and sweatshirts have arrived. The design is a beautiful fern, and you have several colors to choose from. Short sleeve shirts are available in pistachio (light green) and blue jean (dark blue); long sleeve in denim blue; and sweatshirt in chocolate. JCRA apparel are great Christmas gifts. Stop in at the Arboretum and pick one out.

Coming Attractions

by Nancy Doubrava, Interpretive Specialist

Galanthus elwesii var. monostictusone-spotted giant snowdrop

Gladiolus dalenii 'Halloweenie'
parrot beak gladiolus

Jasminum mesnyi 'Gold Tip'variegated primrose jasmine

Camellia 'Winter's Dream'
Ackerman hybrid camellia

Rosa 'Meipoten' (Easter Basket™)
floribunda rose

Viburnum obovatum (dwarf form)
dwarf Walter's viburnum

Lindera umbellatakuro-moji spicebush

Daphniphyllum teijsmannii 'Snow Country'
Japanese daphniphyllum

Visit Showtimes for a much more detailed listing of what's in flower in November at the Arboretum.

Recent Members Only Additions

by Chris Glenn, Programs and Education Coordinator

Three new videos were recorded for the Members Only section on the Arboretum's Web site in October.

Click on the image below to play the video or visit the Members Only section to for a complete listing of all videos.

Content in the Members Only section is password protected and is only available to Arboretum members. In order to access these special features, members need to know the password that was printed on the label (use all lower case letters) of the latest Friends of the Arboretum Newsletter or included below.

user name = jcra
password =

Your Membership Makes a Difference—Please Join or Renew Today!

The JC Raulston Arboretum is free to the public, but it is not free to operate. Memberships keep the gates open and the gardens in top shape. Membership gifts are the primary support for the Arboretum's daily operations and vital for its success.

Thank you for your support and advocacy of the JC Raulston Arboretum through the membership program. It's fast and easy to become a Friend of the Arboretum, and there are many great benefits for you and your family. Join or renew now using our secure Web site, or contact Judy Morgan-Davis at (919) 513-0264 or jvmorgan@ncsu.edu.

JC Raulston Arboretum e-Updates are published electronically every month for everyone interested in the Arboretum and are e-mailed to the Arboretum's members. If you are a member and need to update your contact information or wish to be removed from this mailing, please contact Judy Morgan-Davis.